WATCH: Europe’s first electric tug sets sail

As part of its bold ambition to achieve climate-neutral operations by 2050, the port unveiled the Volta 1 alongside five energy-efficient Reversed Stern Drive (RSD) tugs, ushering in a new era for its port fleet.

“The Volta 1 is a powerful example of our strategy to actively integrate sustainable technology into our operations,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. “As a global port, we are taking our responsibility to pull the maritime sector into the energy transition.”

Zero emissions

Developed in partnership with Damen Shipyards, the electric vessel delivers diesel-equivalent power with zero emissions, powered by a 2,782 MWh battery system that recharges in just two hours.

The Volta 1 offers a towing power of 70 tonnes and up to 12 hours of cruising on a single charge, thanks to its double-bow design and Twin Fin skeg, providing exceptional stability and manoeuvrability.

Volta 1 is part of a broader renewal of the tug-boat fleet. Together with the five energy-efficient RSD tugs, which have also just been commissioned, the new tugs will place older vessels.

With tugboats accounting for nearly 85% of the port’s direct CO₂ emissions, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges said the greening of the port fleet is a central strategy in achieving sustainable operations, as part of its ambition to be climate neutral by 2050.

As the fifth-largest bunker port in the world, Port of Antwerp-Bruges also aims to become a full-fledged multi-fuel port. It therefore wants to offer low-carbon alternatives in addition to bio- and conventional fuels.

Over the past year and a half, the port introduced the world’s first hydrogen and methanol-powered tugs.

By testing these technologies side by side in the field, Port of Antwerp-Bruges said it can determine which solution scores best in terms of emissions, cost, autonomy and performance. In doing so, it anchors its role as a pioneer in the international energy transition and hopes to inspire other ports and sectors to take action.